Your roof drainage system is an important part of the foundation waterproofing system. Good drainage ensures that runoff from the roof is deposited far away from the foundation. This ensures that the soil around your foundation is not soaked with water and therefore prevents the development of bowed basement walls.
Homeowners are advised to keep their gutter systems in the best possible condition in order to protect their foundations from damage. They are required to inspect and clean their gutters regularly for best results.
However, if you live in an area that has the occasional rainstorm, you may want to include some additional protection from the rain. This is because roof gutters may not always be able to handle the volume of runoff, especially during a rainstorm. One great option is to include ground gutters.
An introduction to ground gutters
Ground gutters are a simple and effective solution to handling excess water when the capacity of the gutters is exceeded during a rain storm. They are essentially trenches that are dug into the ground around the home. They help to divert water away from the foundation.
They are dug along the foundation wall and lined with waterproof material. This may include rubber or some similar liner. Pipes are laid on the bottom of the trench. These pipes help to direct runoff away from the home
Ground gutters are designed to drain water several yards away from the home to ensure that it does not collect at the foundation and cause damage. The actual location of draining depends on the design and available facilities such as storm water drains.
Benefits of ground gutters
There are many benefits of having ground gutters. These include:
Preventing foundation damage
The gutters help to guide water away from the foundation. This ensures that the soil near the foundation does not expand and exert pressure on the foundation walls. Ground gutters are an effective way of preventing bowed basement walls from occurring.
Ensure protection during rainstorms
Roof gutters help to capture runoff from the roof and protect the foundation walls. However, when there is a rainstorm, the gutters may be overwhelmed. The ground gutters help to ensure the protection of the foundation by capturing any overflow.
Act as a backup in case of failure of roof gutters
Roof drainage systems can fail for many reasons. This includes when they are full of debris or are damaged. Having a backup system ensures that your foundation remains safe even as you find a solution for the problem with your roof gutters.
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